MSN PROGRAM - Nursing Administration vs Nursing Education?

[Springfeva]

I am applying to a MSN program. I am trying to decide between nursing administration and nursing education. After working with nursing students and precepting during my 29 year career, I believe I would love teaching nursing, however the possiblity of a huge cut in pay just will not work for me. I have about 12 years supervisory experience. Nursing administration is tolerable, but not my favorite field of work.

Any words of wisdom advice or insight would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance for your help!

P.S. I am new to this site and I absolutely love it! :redbeathe

[HealthyRN]

While I understand why you would not want to take a paycut to teach nursing at a university or community college, you could also work in staff development with the MSN in nursing education. Have you considered that option? I would choose the specialty that you feel most passionate about. If you don't want to be in nursing administration, it is not going to make you happy, no matter how good the pay is. Also, the MSN will open many doors and I don't believe the choice of specialty will make a huge difference. If you do the nursing education track, you could still get a job in nursing administration and probably vice versa. Good luck!

[dfs1961]

I agree with the above poster. I am getting my MSN in nursing education, but will probably end up in administration in the long run. I don't think it matters one way or the other, as long as you have the MSN.

[llg, PhD, RN]

If your heart leans more towards education, then I'd recommend the education route. There are lots of jobs that you could get that would not require a pay cut, e.g staff development or clinical educator roles.

Also, as you near retirement, you may want to work part time. While you can find a lot of part time education jobs, part time management roles are more rare.